3. The effect of financial leverage on ROE Aa Aa Companies that use debt in their capital structure are said to be using financial leverage. Using leverage can increase shareholder returns, but leverage also increases the risk that shareholders bear Consider the following case: Western Gas & Electric Co. is considering a project that will require $500,000 in assets. The project will be financed with 100% equity. The company faces a tax rate of 30%. What will be the ROE (return on equity) for this project if it produces an EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of $160,000? O 22.4% 16.8% 23.5% O O 17.9% Determine what the project's ROE will be if its EBIT is -$55,000. when calculating the tax effects, assume that Western Gas & Electric Co. as a whole will have a large, positive income this year. O -9.2% -6.9% O -8.9%. Western Gas & Electric Co. is also considering financing the project with 50% equity and 50% debt. The interest rate on the company's debt will be 11%. What will be the project's ROE if it produces an EBIT of $160,000? O 37.1% O 31.5% O 26.0% O 27.8%